Device for breaking away individual rolls from a roll of web or sheet material after the roll has been slit

ABSTRACT

A machine for separating individual rolls from a combined roll of web material after it has been operated upon by a two drum slitter rewinding machine to form individual slits but unseparated rolls comprises a machine having a plurality of individual and distinct segments or parts. The first segment includes a tilting leaf type table on which the set of split rolls are placed while the winder shaft is removed. The table is operated to tilt it to move the combined split rolls without the winder shaft to deposit the roll into a second segment portion of the machine. The second segment includes means for applying pressure at the respective ends of the combined slit rolls in order to compress the combined rolls against the stop plate so that any misalignment or telescoping of the wound web material is eliminated. The straightened set of rolls is then rolled onto a third segment which conveys the entire set endwise towards a clamp and hammering mechanism. The fourth segment comprises a hammering mechanism that engages the combined roll while individual rolls are hammered until they are separated from the set. The remaining set of rolls is advanced then to a new position in which the remaining set of rolls is engaged while the outermost roll is hammered and separated from the remainder. The process is repeated until all the rolls in the set have been separated and are conveyed away from the machine. The machine is designed so that each additional set of rolls can be started through the first two segments while previous rolls are being separated by the third and fourth segments so that it is a continuous type machine.

United States Patent 1191 Grambo, Jr. et al.

[ DEVICE FOR BREAKING AWAY INDIVIDUAL ROLLS FROM A ROLL OF WEB OR SHEETMATERIAL AFTER THE ROLL HAS BEEN SLIT [75] Inventors: Lawrence C.Grambo, Jr.,

Westfield; Daniel J. Coppola, Middlesex, both of NJ.

[73] Assignee: General Gummed Products, Linden,

22 Filed: Dec. 13, 1973 21 Appl. No: 424,615

[52] US. Cl 225/103; 2l4/DIG. 4 {5!} Int. CI. B26F 3/00 [58] Field ofSearch 225/4, 103, I04, 105, 96; 2l4/l PB, DIG. 4

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 285,584 ll/l9l8 Baines 2l4/lPB 2.531464 l/l95l Holmberg 225/103 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONSIL} [4 3/[912 United Kingdom 225/l03 Primary E.raminerDonald R. SchranAssistant Examiner-Leon Gilden Arlurney Agent, or Firm-McGlew and Tuttle[57] ABSTRACT A machine for separating individual rolls from a com Sept.9, 1975 bined roll of web material after it has been operated upon by atwo drum slitter rewinding machine to form individual slits butunseparated rolls comprises a machine having a plurality of individualand distinct segments or parts. The first segment includes a tiltingleaf type table on which the set of split rolls are placed while thewinder shaft is removed. The table is operated to tilt it to move thecombined split rolls without the winder shaft to deposit the roll into asecond segment portion of the machine. The second segment includes meansfor applying pressure at the respective ends of the combined slit rollsin order to compress the combined rolls against the stop plate so thatany misalignment or telescoping of the wound web material is eliminated.The straightened set of rolls is then rolled onto a third segment whichconveys the entire set endwise towards a clamp and hammering mechanism.The fourth segment comprises a hammering mechanism that engages thecombined roll while individual rolls are hammered until they areseparated from the set The remaining set of rolls is advanced then to anew position in which the remaining set of rolls is engaged while theoutermost roll is hammered and separated from the remainder The processis repeated until all the rolls in the set have been separated and areconveyed away from the machine. The machine is designed so that eachadditional set of rolls can be started through the first two segmentswhile previous rolls are being separated by the third and fourthsegments so that it is a continuous type machine 9 Claims, 5 DrawingFigures PATENTEU 55? 9 i975 SHEET 2 BF 3 DEVICE FOR BREAKING AWAYINDIVIDUAL ROLLS FROM A ROLL OF WEB OR SHEET MATERIAL AFTER THE ROLL HASBEEN SLIT DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART It is usual to form short widthsof rolled web material such as paper, cloth, metal foils, plastic, etc.in a large width roll which is subsequently slit into narrow widths.Usually the large roll comprises a so-called mill roll which is 24inches to 100 inches in width and is from 2000 to 10,000 yards in lengthor longer. When narrower shorter rolls such as 2 inch slits out of a 60inch are slit and rewound from this mill roll on a two drum rewinderthey have a tendency to interweave, cone in one direction or wander backand forth several times while the shorter length is being cut and wound.This interweaving or misalignment creates a severe problem when thesmaller rolls must be separated for packaging or future use. Presentlymost processors must physically bang the rolls or pry them apart byhand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention thereis provided a machine which acts upon a combined slit roll having aplurality of individual rolls which remain joined together to the setand acts upon the roll to first effect a compression of the ends tocause an alignment of the individual roll widths and to automaticallyadvance the roll into association with means for clamping the roll whileeach individual roll in succession is broken away from the remainder.

In the preferred form of the invention the machine includes severaldistinct and separate parts or segments which are capable of independentand automatic operation to effect the necessary action on the individualroll elements. With the inventive arrangement the first segmentcomprises a tilting leaf type table on which a combined roll whichincludes a whole set of split rolls which are interconnected and whichhas been removed from a slitter rewinding machine is placed while thewinder shaft is removed. After the shaft has been removed the combinedroll is moved to a second table portion by the tilting of the firsttable portion to cause it to roll into place and at the second tableportion pressure is exerted on one end of the rolls while the other endis constrained by a stop plate. This action on the rolls causes anymisalignment or telescoping of the wound paper to be almost completelyeliminated.

With the inventive arrangement the second receiving table may also betilted to displace the combined roll set out of the second segment afterit has been compressed and to move it into a third segment where theentire combined roll is moved endwise to a clamp and hammeringmechanism. The fourth segment includes a hammering mechanism thatcontinues to strike the individual rolls until they are separated fromthe set and a conveyor is provided in this segment to advance each setuntil the next roll is in a position to be clamped and struck by thehammering mechanism and then separated from the remaining roll portions.

In accordance with the method of the invention the process of removal ofthe winding core, compression of the roll to straighten it andsubsequent hammering of each individual roll is repeated and eachseparated roll is then conveyed out of the machine.

A feature of the invention is that the machine is designed so thatadditional sets of rolls can be started through the first two segmentswhile the previous rolls are being separated by the third and fourthsegments and thus it is a continuous type machine.

Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide an improvedmethod of acting upon slit combined rolls which comprises compressingthe rolls by endwise pressure, and thereafter engaging the roll setwhile each roll in succession is hammered away from the roll set.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for removingindividual slit rolls from an attached combined roll set which includestable means for holding the roll set while the core is removed and forsubsequently transferring the roll set into association with anothertable where the combined roll is compressed by endwise pressure tostraighten the individual rolls, and thereafter further includes meansfor engaging the remaining roll set while the last roll in the set ishammered away from the set.

A further object of the invention is to provide a roll separating devicefor use with combined rolls which have been previously slit on a slitterand which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical tomanufacture.

For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference ismade to the following description of typical embodiments thereof asillustrated in the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERREDEMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings in particular the inventionembodied therein comprises a machine generally designated I0 forseparating individual lengths of rolled strip material such as paper,foil, etc. from a composite slit row generally designated 12 intoindividual short width rows 14. The composite row I2 is a so-called millrow usually of widths of from 24 inches to I00 inches or longer and thewound material is from 2,000 to 10,000 yards in length or longer. It isgenerally the practice to subject such rolls to the action of a slitterand rewinder in order to slit the composite roll as the material isrewound on a two drum rewinder. After this operation is done however itis difficult to separate the individual rolls from the composite roll.The machine generally designated 10 provides a means for simply andeconomically removing the individual rolls 14 from the composite roll12.

In accordance with the invention the machine 10 includes a base I6 whichis supported on wheels 18 for movement throughout the plant. A controlbox 20 for the machine is provided with means for connecting the machineto suitable electrical power supply lines and to fluid pressure units toeffect the operation of the individual parts of the machine.

The machine includes a plurality of various operating stations or tablesincluding an entrance table or tilt table 22 which is pivoted at itsinboard end 24 as shown in FIG. 4 and may be raised and lowered by afluid piston drive 26 as indicated by the double arrows 28 in order totilt it upwardly and cause a roll I2 which has been initially placedthereon to be moved to the next tilting table 30 after the firstoperstion is performed thereon. With the roll 12 at the first table 22as best seen in FIG. 2 the composite roll 12 is held between end plates32 and 34 and at least one of them the end plate 34 has a guide notch 36which permits the removal of the winder shaft 38 from one end asindicated by the arrow 40 as shown in FIG. 2.

After the winder shaft 38 is removed the composite slit row 12 isdirected to the second tilting table 30 by actuating the fluid motor 26to raise the first table 22 and to cause the roll 12 to move off of itand onto the second table 30. On the second table 30 the composite roll12 is subjected to a very important action in accordance with the methodof the invention, that is it is subjected to a compression which isproduced on the action of a presser plate 42 which is moved by a pistonwhich is reciprocatable in a fluid pressure cylinder 44 and whichcarfies a piston rod 46 which is secured to the plate 42. By suitablecontrol means at the control station fluid pressure is directedselectively through a pressure hose 48 and into the cylinder 44 and thecylinder is evacuated through a hose 50. This causes movement of thepressure plate 42 to compress the composite roll against a stationaryplate 52. By compressing the whole roll 12 by applying endwise pressureany misalignment or telescoping of the wound paper is completelyeliminated and this insures that the rolls which are removed are removedwhile the wound material is severed cleanly and straightly.

After a compressive force is applied and then released the second tableis pivoted upwardly about a pivot 54 upon actuation of a fluid pressurecylinder 56 which has a piston rod 58 capable of raising and loweringthe table as indicated by the double arrows 60. The table 30 is raisedto move the roll 12 after compression onto a third station or table 62.At this station the roll 12 becomes pressed against a vertical plate orsupport wall 64. The third station 62 comprises an endless belt conveyor66 as best shown in FIG. 2 which is driven by a motor not shownconnected to the control 20 in order to drive a drive shaft 68 to movethe composite roll 12 to the left in the direction of the arrows 70 asshown in FIG. 2 in order to move each roll in succession intoassociation with clamping means 72 and to position a roll 14 which isabout to be severed from the composite roll 12 in a position in which itmay be acted upon by a hammer mechanism generally designated 74.

At the station 62 the composite roll 12 is gripped by engagement of theclamping means 72 with the composite roll 12 adjacent to the next to thelast separate roll 14. The clamping mechanism 72 includes a curved plate76 which is carried on a piston rod 78 which is moved under the force ofmovement of fluid pressure in a fluid pressure cylinder 80 acting on apiston connected to the piston rod 78. When the composite roll 12 isclamped the whole row is urged against the plate 64. The hammermechanism 74 includes a hammer 82 which is reciprocated backwardly andforwardly by a piston movable in a cylinder 84 in the directions of thedouble arrow 86 to cause the hammer 82 to strike with hard force againstthe endmost roll 14 and clearly sever it from the composite roll 12. Thestroke of the hammer 82 is great enough to move the loosened roll 14 inthe direction of the arrow 88 as shown in FIG. 2 and at this location itarrives on a conveyor 90 which conveys it toward a packing table asindicated by the arrow 92 as shown in FIG. 2. The fluid pressurecylinder is connected through suitable connecting lines 79 and 81 to anintermediate control box 94. Similarly the fluid pressure cylinder 84 isconnected through pressure lines 83 and to the intermediate control box94 which is actuated for example by suitable timing control means in thecontrol 20 or by direct individual actuation in a semi automaticfashion. After each roll 14 is separated from the set 12 the roll isadvanced by the conveyor 66 to position a new roll 14 in the hammeringstation position against an end plate 96 along which it is guided afterseverance to the conveyor 90. The process is repeated until all of therolls 14 of the composite roll 12 have been separated and conveyed forexample in the direction of arrow 92 to a packing table.

A feature of the construction is that the machine is capable of handlingseveral rolls simultaneously. Additional rolls can be started throughthe first or entrance table 20 and thereafter fed to the intermediatetable 30 as the last roll is being separated on the last table orstation 62. With the method of the invention it has been found extremelyadvantageous to apply endwise squeezing pressure to the rolls because ithas been found that this aligns the materials on the rolls and insuresthat they will not separate unevenly nor will there be any tendency ofthe rolls to migrate. The hammer 82 is made to operate so that itcontinues to strike the roll to be separated until it breaks free.Because the composite roll 12 is clamped in the vicinity of the next inline individual roll of the composite roll 12 the arrangement insuresthat there will be no damage to the material. The fluid pressurecylinders 80 and 84 are advantageously operated and adjusted to exertonly the power that is necessary to separate the rolls. The hammeringmechanism is recycled automatically so that the operator has the choiceof striking the end roll once or twice at a high force or it can bereadjusted to strike many times at a lower force in order to insure theelimination of any damage to the material.

It is preferable that the clamping plate 76 be applied to the compositeroll 12 at a location directly adjacent the roll being severed and thatthe clamping action is under sufficient force that there is a slightdeformation of the roll which is clamped. It has been found that thisclamping and slight deformation operation is necessary to the overallhammering operation because it insures that separation of the rolls ismuch easier. When the adjacent roll is held it is insured that the fullenergy of the hammer is exerted on the roll being struck and notabsorbed or cushioned by a loosely held adjacent roll. It is veryimportant that the clamping plates 76 be of cylindrical shape andcomplementary to the shape of the composite roll 12 so that the clampinginsures that the composite roll is properly held while the hammeringmechanism operates.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the principles ofthe invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for separating individual short width rolls from a pre-slitcomposite roll of a plurality of interconnected short width rolls,comprising a support housing, first, second and third support plateseach having a composite roll receiving area and all being substantiallycoextensive in length and arranged side by side on said housing, firsttilting means for tilting said first support plate to incline it towardsaid second support plate to deliver the composite roll thereon to saidsecond support plate, first clamping means adjacent said second supportplate engageable with the ends of the composite roll thereon and beingmovable axially from at least one of the respective ends inwardly toengage and axially compress the composite roll, second tilting means fortilting said second plate to incline it toward said third plate todeliver the compressed composite roll thereon to said third plate,second clamping means adjacent said third plate being engageablelaterally against said composite roll inwardly of the outermostindividual roll to hold the composite roll in position, and hammer meanslocated alongside the outermost individual roll adjacent said thirdplate and being movable to hammer the individual roll to sever it fromthe composite roll.

2. A device for separating individual short width rolls from a pre-slitcomposite roll ofa plurality of interconnected short width rolls,comprising means for supporting said rolls, first operable pressureapplying means engageable with the respective ends of said rollincluding a movable member movable to compact said composite roll and tosubsequently release it, second operable clamping means overlying saidsupporting means including a movable clamp plate engageable with a sideof said composite roll adjacent the end thereof inwardly from theendmost short width roll to hold it against movement, and third hammermeans operable exterior of said clamping means for hammering the endmostshort width roll to sever it from said composite roll.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said supporting means includesa tilt table aligned with said pressure applying means and a hammeringstation adjacent said tilt table, and means for raising one end of saidtilt table to direct said roll after it is released by 6 said pressureapplying means into said hammering station.

4. A device according to claim 3 including an entrance table alongsidesaid tilt table, said entrance table being pivoted on a side thereofadjacent said tilt table and means for raising said entrance table toshift the roll from a position thereon into said tilt table. saidentrance table having guide means for the removal of a winding shaftfrom said composite roll.

5. A device according to claim 3, wherein said ham mering stationincludes an endless belt conveyor supporting said composite roll andbeing movable toward said clamping means, said clamping means comprisinga curved plate engageable with the short width roll adjacent to the endshort width roll of said composite roll, said end short width roll beingaligned with said hammer means.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said hammer means comprises areciprocal hammer member and fluid pressure means connected to saidreciprocal hammer member to move it backwardly and forwardly againstsaid short width roll.

7. A device according to claim 6, including conveyor means alongsidesaid hammering station in a position in alignment with the endmost rollto receive the endmost roll that has been removed from said compositeroll and to advance it away from said hammering station.

8. A device according to claim 2, wherein said means for supporting saidroll includes a first support table aligned with said pressure applyingmeans and hammering station support table alongside said support table,means for shifting said composite roll from said support table after itis compressed to said hammering station support table, means on saidhammering support table for shifting said composite roll endwise towardsaid hammering means, said hammering means comprising a hammerreciprocable toward and away from said hammering station support table.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein said clamping means comprisesa clamping plate engageable around a portion of the periphery of theshort width roll which is next to the endmost short width roll and fluidpressure means connected to said plate for applying it against saidcomposite roll.

1. A device for separating individual short width rolls from a pre-slitcomposite roll of a plurality of interconneCted short width rolls,comprising a support housing, first, second and third support plateseach having a composite roll receiving area and all being substantiallycoextensive in length and arranged side by side on said housing, firsttilting means for tilting said first support plate to incline it towardsaid second support plate to deliver the composite roll thereon to saidsecond support plate, first clamping means adjacent said second supportplate engageable with the ends of the composite roll thereon and beingmovable axially from at least one of the respective ends inwardly toengage and axially compress the composite roll, second tilting means fortilting said second plate to incline it toward said third plate todeliver the compressed composite roll thereon to said third plate,second clamping means adjacent said third plate being engageablelaterally against said composite roll inwardly of the outermostindividual roll to hold the composite roll in position, and hammer meanslocated alongside the outermost individual roll adjacent said thirdplate and being movable to hammer the individual roll to sever it fromthe composite roll.
 2. A device for separating individual short widthrolls from a pre-slit composite roll of a plurality of interconnectedshort width rolls, comprising means for supporting said rolls, firstoperable pressure applying means engageable with the respective ends ofsaid roll including a movable member movable to compact said compositeroll and to subsequently release it, second operable clamping meansoverlying said supporting means including a movable clamp plateengageable with a side of said composite roll adjacent the end thereofinwardly from the endmost short width roll to hold it against movement,and third hammer means operable exterior of said clamping means forhammering the endmost short width roll to sever it from said compositeroll.
 3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said supporting meansincludes a tilt table aligned with said pressure applying means and ahammering station adjacent said tilt table, and means for raising oneend of said tilt table to direct said roll after it is released by saidpressure applying means into said hammering station.
 4. A deviceaccording to claim 3 including an entrance table alongside said tilttable, said entrance table being pivoted on a side thereof adjacent saidtilt table and means for raising said entrance table to shift the rollfrom a position thereon into said tilt table, said entrance table havingguide means for the removal of a winding shaft from said composite roll.5. A device according to claim 3, wherein said hammering stationincludes an endless belt conveyor supporting said composite roll andbeing movable toward said clamping means, said clamping means comprisinga curved plate engageable with the short width roll adjacent to the endshort width roll of said composite roll, said end short width roll beingaligned with said hammer means.
 6. A device according to claim 5,wherein said hammer means comprises a reciprocal hammer member and fluidpressure means connected to said reciprocal hammer member to move itbackwardly and forwardly against said short width roll.
 7. A deviceaccording to claim 6, including conveyor means alongside said hammeringstation in a position in alignment with the endmost roll to receive theendmost roll that has been removed from said composite roll and toadvance it away from said hammering station.
 8. A device according toclaim 2, wherein said means for supporting said roll includes a firstsupport table aligned with said pressure applying means and hammeringstation support table alongside said support table, means for shiftingsaid composite roll from said support table after it is compressed tosaid hammering station support table, means on said hammering supporttable for shifting said composite roll endwise toward said hammeringmeans, said hammering means comprising a hammer reciprocable toward andaway froM said hammering station support table.
 9. A device according toclaim 8, wherein said clamping means comprises a clamping plateengageable around a portion of the periphery of the short width rollwhich is next to the endmost short width roll and fluid pressure meansconnected to said plate for applying it against said composite roll.